Julie joined Newcastle University in 2015 as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. She takes up the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Elect post with immediate effect but will also continue in her current role until a successor is appointed.

Julie has a wealth of experience in cross-disciplinary research, and a strong track record of leading innovative teaching projects. One of the first priorities she will focus on will be new cross-university projects on inter- and transdisciplinarity in both research and teaching. This will involve building new collaborations not just across the University but with external partners also. In her role as Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Julie has led several new areas of excellence enabling Newcastle to consolidate its position as a leading university to work with in the cultural and creative sector, alongside long-standing research and teaching strengths in Fine Art, Heritage and English. Immediately prior to joining Newcastle, Julie was a Vice-Provost of Nottingham University’s Ningbo Campus in China for two years. In her new role, Julie will use this experience to support Newcastle’s international strategy.

At a time when we are developing our next Strategy and Vision, and preparing the University for key challenges such as the next Research Excellence Framework, I am delighted to have Julie as my deputy

Professor Chris Day, Vice Chancellor and President, Newcastle University, said: “Julie’s leadership of a large faculty, coupled with her international experience and understanding of the importance of interdisciplinarity, will be a huge asset to the cross-cutting role of DVC. At a time when we are developing our next Strategy and Vision, and preparing the University for key challenges such as the next Research Excellence Framework, I am delighted to have Julie as my deputy.”

Julie has always championed working with students as partners. Her new role as DVC will see her work closely with Newcastle’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching and student leaders and representatives to ensure the student voice is heard and has genuine impact in all areas of thinking and practice.

Julie said: “I am over the moon to be asked to be the Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Newcastle University at this moment in time. There is real energy around the place as we come together to develop the vision and the strategy for the future. I hope in my new role to be able to support staff and students to realise their ideas and aspirations. I am immensely proud of what the HaSS Faculty has achieved in recent years and I know what a terrific team effort that has been.

“I really look forward to being able in the DVC role to work across the whole University in a similar way and to play a part in what promises to be a significant next chapter in the Newcastle University story.”